Four-wheel drive.



A. E. HOLI'ERMANN.

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21,1913.

Patented Aug.25,1914.

HEBTS-BHEET 1.

IWVE'N 7 9? W W TIE/V5 VI t m M, u M fi7m M W w w M .M W M A. E.HOLTERMANN.

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR 21,1913.

Patented Aug. 25, 1914.

4 SHEETSSHBET 2.

A. E. HOLTERMANN.

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.21,1913.

1,108,367., Patented Aug.25,1914.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

A. E. HOLTERMANN.

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. APPLIQMIOH FILED 11133.21, 191a.

Patented Aug. 25, 1914;.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W w W NLW/MWW WW m W WU; M W 1M J C lit) 1 and useful improvements in lY'iur-l tlieel tion, reference being had to the accompanyfication.

and, Fig. is a. detail rien of one oi the AUGUQ'I E. HULTE-RMANN,

Oil? DEPERE, WISCONSIN FOUR JVHEEL DIR VE.

llJLllSfiEtil'.

' Application filed March 21,

Specification of Letters Patent.

ltfa'tenteili 1913. Serial No. "i55,8..!.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, AI'GUHI l). :li'loI/run- MANN, a citizen of theUnited States, and resident of Uepere, in the county of Brown and Stateof l'l isconsin, have invented new Drives, of which. the following i..'a descriping drawings, which are a part of this speci- This inventionhas for its object to provide a (hiring mechanism by means oi which thedriving cliort oi' the engine may he illstriibuted througlmut all fourWheels and vehicle, thus ii'icrenising the traction by enlargingthetraction surface and i'i'u'iking the drivingoperation more uniform.

Another ohject oi the invention is toproride such driving; mechanismwhich Will be capable of reversing the direction of travel of thevehicle by the use of the sonic .parts used for driving the vehicleforwardly.

Another object of the invention is to pen feet details of constructionof four wheel drive 'mechanismoil? this charz'lctcr.

With the above and other ob iocts in View the invention consists in thetourwheel drive mechanism as herein claimed and all equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in Which like characters ofreference indicate the same parts in dill erent views" Figure 1 a planView of a chassis of an. automobile truel-i or the like showing a fourwheel drive mechanism oi this invention emhodied therein; Fig. is acentral longitudinal sectional View; Fig. 3 is a side view of thefriction wheels for driving; the front and rear Wheels on one side ofthe car; Fig. 4- is a plan View of sin'iilarparts for driving the frontand rear wheels on the other side of the car, the parts being inpositiini for driving the car rearwardly; i i :3 is a rear view oi thefrictional driving means, showingthe eccentric sleeves for eilecting;the frictional engagement of the :lricthni wheels with the fii'ietiiiindisks; (l a e ivonal View looking" forwardly at the coir trolling; leverand its connection "with the reversing shaft; l i is a side elevation ofthese parts; l ipg.

p H is a detail View ol the slotted plate in \"vl'uch the speedcontrolling lever travels; Fig. 5) is a detail plan View of one of thespeed controliing walking hcams;

thereof.

Z'Ud. connections shown on the front and rea axles l6 and Illrespectively. The axles, however, are not of the usual type, for each ofthe tour wheels of the .rehicle is independently driven TlOll'l theengine 19;, the rear wheels heinp; mounted on stuh shafts $.20 whieh arejournaled Within gear casings a t the ends oi the rear axles 17' whilethe front wheels re mounted on stub shafts 22 \arried by sleeves whichare pivotally n'iountei'l by means oi; ordinary knuckle joints .24; ongear casings at the end of the front axle 15, there hi) ing short shafts526 within the gear casings 27 connected by universal joints ill with.the stub shafts 22 of said trout wheels. the shafts of the rear wheelsand the shafts Q6 oi the front wheels are provided with beveled gears 38within the gear eas ings and heveled pinions 29 mesh therewith. Thesebeveled pinions 29 are on short shafts 30 which are journalld inheziringe through the gear casings aud have universal Cfiiifl dt'itions31 with torsion rods 3?. which also have universal eounectionsl i: 3with sha' 's Ill and 35 respectively. the former in. hiring con nectionWith the rear wheels ot the vehicle being tubular and having the shaft35 litting therein. The shafts 3i and 35 are ournaled in hearings 37 ona drop ii'rauie Elli ex: handing; across the main frame l5 and tula. lartelescoping housings 2 S surround theton siou rods 3:! and theiruniversal joints are pivotally connected at their inner or uipj ier endswith brackets F9 on the drop l raiuie illi.

The engine shaft :lOhas a uereled pinion 5-0 at its rear end meshingwith a beveled pinion 51. on a driving shaft extending transversely oithe vehicle and journal-1a. iu hearings on an iuternuuliatr part of thedrop fran'ie 36 and with i i-ietioo dialog ea at Fifi res iertii'elwhiih spliued thereon and which are ndapl contact with the faces o'l,the li'ii'iiou 5;}. They may he brought ino contact i'vith the'l'rictiouzl dish. of eccentric sleeves to inmur ihen'i and their haringrs ll" \rh w. eoiiric sleei'es. as most cluirly seen in l ll. 5.have vraulii aruis'ii roiinerlml. M i F with arms of a lever 3f), th onesuch lL Cr 53%) at the Front of the i1. iftlll'li 36 and one at the rearthereox.

till

It o e for the front bearings and rear bearings respectively and both ofthe lever-s59 are connected with a rod (30 which extends forwardly andas shown in Fig. 12- connects with a treadle 61 corresponding with anordinary clutch treadle. The arms 57 of the eccentric sleeves 56 havesprings 62 for returning them to the position in which the frictionwheels 54 and are held in frictional contact with friction disks 53.Thus the pressure of the foot of the operator against treadle 61 removesthe frictional engagement of the friction wheels with the friction disksto release the driving connection and when said treadle is permitted toreturn to its normal position the driving connection is again restored,the action corresponding with that of an ordinary clutch. The frictionwheels 54 and areshifted over the faces of the friction disks 36 tobring their frictional engagement therewith nearer to or farther fromthe center of said disks in order to vary the speed of the vehicle andprovision is made for equalizing this ad justment so that all four ofthefriction Wheels will at all times be at the same dis tance from thecenter of the friction disks so that all of the vehicle wheels may bedriven at the same speed. Shifting rods 63 are slidably mounted inbearings on the drop frame 36 and at their front ends are pivotallymounted thereon walking beams 64, the opposite ends of which areconnected by rods 65 with shifting arms 66 which. are slidably mountedon the rods 63 and have their yoked ends fitting in grooved hubs of thefriction wheels 54 and respectively so that a rocking movement of thewalking beams 64- causes a sliding movement of the friction wheels am.on their shafts 34 and 35, said friction wheels, however. re-- mainingin driving connection with their shafts throughout such slidingadiushnent by reason of their SplllHKl (1011]llll611 therewith.Connecting rods (3'? connect the opposite ends of the walking beams withoppositely extending crank arms 68 on a shaft (35) which is join-nalcdin upright portions of the frame at the front of the car and a handlcvcr TO loosely mounted on the shaftof) has an opening adapted to on:gage a pin on an arm 71 whirlris fixed on the shaft (35) and at suchtimes the shaft may be rocked by means of the hand lever to SWIIIQ' thecrank arms (38 and through the rods 7 produce a swinging moven'icnt ofthe walking beams 64- and thereby shift the friction wheels over thefaces of the friction disks so that they will be positioned nearer to oifarther from the center of the friction disks to vary the driving speed.

The shifting rods (33 are connected by rods 72 with crank arms T3 on ashaft 74 journaled across the frame beneath the shaft 69 and said shaft74 has a pinion 75 mesh ing with a segmental gear 7 6 which is fixed ona sleeve 77 surrounding the shaft 69 and passing through the bearingthereof. The sleeve 77 has a crank arm 78 with a pin also adapted to been aged by the opening in the hand lever and when so engaged themovements of the hand lever 70 cause the sleeve'iT to turn and rock theshaft 74 and thus through the rod connections 72 pull upon the shiftingrod 63, sliding said rod through its bearings and carrying with it thewalking beams (34 and both of the friction wheels connected therewith soas to carry the front friction wheels beyond the edge of the frictiondisks and bringing the rear friction wheels in front of the centers ofthe friction disks for reversing the direction of movement of the car.In order to prevent the walking beams losing their normal positionduring this shifting movement for reversing the driving of the car theshifting rods (33 have spring latch pins 79 engaging notches on thewalking beams as best seen in Fig. 9 and this forward movcment of thewalking beams is permitted by the rods (37 freely sliding through bcnteyes 80 which form other connections with the walking beams, there beinga pair of set nuts 81 on the ends of the rods 67 to engage said eyes forswinging the walking beams when a pulley movement is exerted upon eitherof the rods 67 as during the speed changing operation previouslydescribed. In order that the hand lever 70 may be required to returnparts to their normal position in either of its operative connectionsbefore changing to its other operative connection it works throughslotted guide plate 82 rigidly mounted on the upright portion of theframe, the slot thereof being of a. U shape. The hand lever 70 may workin either portion of the slot and while in one portion thereof it is inengagement with the pin of crank arm 71 to turn the shaft 69 for varyingthe speed adjustment while in the other position it is in engagementwith the pin of crank arm 78 to turn the shaft 7% for effecting thereverse drive position of the parts.

In operation the friction disks 53 driven directly from the engine mayturn freely while the treadle 61 is depressed so as to hold the frictionwheels and 55 out of engagement with the friction disks, but upon.releasing the treadle the friction 'wheels are moved into engagementwith the friction disks at the same distance from the center thereof andon opposite sides of the center so that the friction wheels are drivenfrom the friction disks in opposite directions. The friction wheelsbeing splined on their shafts 34: and 35 respectively .ause said shaftsto turn in opposite directions and through their driving connectionswith the pinions 29 cause them more also to turn, but the pinione 29being" differ elitly positioned with rch ion to the hereled pinions 28of the vehicle -Wheels; one lg uion being; in f not of and the other pinion in the rear of rr' T pinions the Wheels are reused to turn in thesame direction. lly shifting the hand lever While in its engagement withthe pin of crack arm-l1 the friction Wheels 54. and may he moved fartherapart to increase the driving speed and the speed may thus be varied atwi l. ll hen it is desired to reverse the driving connection it is fi stnecessary to return the hand lever 70 to its no ion for the lowest speedbefore shiftnug it into the other side of the tlshapcd slot in its guideplate and in this position the parts the latch to oy engaging thenotchee of the wallri beanie prevents a further aching movement of theWalking hean'is until the hand lever again engaged with the pin of crank.Ls.) arm. if to effect the forward dri ll hen the ad lever s thrownnrto the reversing PUhilolOil it turns the shaft i l and thereby slidesthe friction wheels to the pm tion shown in -52 in the warmerprevieimsly described, carrying the friction Wheel for the front uhce ofthe vehicle out of the 'aug e 'f the friction disks and bringing; thefriction wheel for the rear Wheels of the rehicle to are front of thecenter of the lion. disks so that their direction of rotation israrersed and consequently the ehicle is hacked, being propelled by itsrear wheels only lly means of this invention four separate andindependent tinnsmission means are provided, one for each of thefourwhecis of the rehicla and all driven. from. the eng ne shaft.Furthermore by the provision of the walking beams and connecting rod sl'ftiug mechanism. for the friction wheels whereby the friction Wheels ofeach pair are moved sirnrdtaneously and equally in opposite dji.rections the driving speed of the vehicle wheels may be maintained thesame throughout all of the variations of agreed from the mininuun speedto the maximum speed. llilh all four driving wheels of the vehicle ofthe Sam size the friction Wheels will be positioned at equal distancesfrom the center the front Wheels of the vehicle will he positionedfarther from the center of lhe friction disks than the other frictionwheels.

The universal joint coi'incctions between the driving shafts and thetorsion rods permitsthe driving aha a have the slia'ht lateralioovra'oent ncce vary to bring: the friction wheels into and out of"frictional engage went with the friction disks by the adjust- Ireactions for equally of the friction wheels in opposite directionsagainst the friction disks equahzes to reheve the bearings of thedriving shaft 52 from wear.

Winn/t l claim a new and desire to secure by letters Patent is:

l. A ransanission means for motor vehicles, comprising a driving shaft,friction disks thereon, pairs of friction wheels hearing against thefriction disks in opposite dircctions. on om csite sides of the axis ofthe driving shaft and having independent driv ing connection with thefour Wheels of the VGlllClfi.

A transmission in. runs for motor vehiclcs cou'rnrisiru g a drivingshaft, friction disks thereon, friction wheels hearing against the frirn disks in opposite directions and on opposite sides of lill axis of thedriving shaft, pairs of transmission shafts on which the friction wheelsare spliced, driving-connections between the transmission shafts and theseveral Wheels of the Vehicle, and means for shifting the frictionwheels on the transmission shafts simultaneously in opposite diaryingthe driving speed of the sore fill vehicle wheels.

2-). A transmissirm.means for motor vehicles, comprising a drivingshaft, friction disks thereon, friction Wheels bearing against thefriction disks in opposite directions and on opposite sides of the axisof the driving mounted Walking;- beams, connecting rods counecting theends of the Walking beams with the friction Wheels, and means forswinging the shifting; of the friction Wheels on their transmissionshafts in opposite directions.

4-. .z i t'ansulission means for motor vehicles comprising a drivingshaft, friction disks thereon, friction wheels bearing against thefriction disks in ()PPOSltQ directions and on opposite sides of the axisof the driving shaft, pairs of transmission shafts on which the frictionWheels are splined, drivingconncctions between the transmission shaftand the four Wheel: of the Yehicl i, suitably mounted walking; beams,connecting rods connecting: the ends of the walking; beams with thefrictim wheels means for swinging the, Walking beams for musing ashifting of the friction wheels on their transmission shafts in oppositedirections, and means for bodily moving the Walking heamsto carry onefriction Wheel of each pair out of engagement with the friction disksand for carrying the other friction wheels beyond the center of thefriction disks reversing the direction of drive of the vehicle,

5. A. transmission means folwehiclesmom- "alking beams for causing a iiiEli

iii

prising a driving shaft, friction disks thereon, friction wheelsengaging the friction disks on opposite faces thereof and on oppositesides of the center thereof, pairs of interiitting transmission shaftsadjust-ably mounted to have a movement nearer to or farther from thefriction disks, friction wheels splined on the transmission shafts,driving connections for connecting the transmission shafts with theseveral wheels of the vehicle, slid-ably mounted rods, walking beamsfnlcruined on the slidable rods, com ing rods connecting the ends of thewalking beams with the friction wheels whercoy the swinging movements-ofthe walking beams produces a sliding movement in opposite directions ofthe friction Wheels in each. pair for equally varying the driving speedof the vehicle wheels, and means for moving the slidable rods forcarrying one friction wheel of each pair beyond the edge of the frictiondisks and for carrying the other friction wheel of each pair beyond thecenter of the friction disks for reversing the driving direction of thevehicle.

6. A transmission means for motor vehicles, comprising a driving shaft,friction disks thereon, pairs of transmission shafts adjustable towardand awav from the friction disks, pairs of friction wheels splincd onthe transmission shafts and meshing with the friction disks, drivingconnections for tf())!1'l0(ftlll;f the transmission shafts and m shin 1,with the friction disks, driving connections for connecting the transmisshafts with the several vehicle wheels, sl ably mounted rods, walkingbeams fulcrumed on the slidable rods, connecting rods connecting theends of the walking beams with the friction wheels, s 'iring latches foryieldingly holding the walking beams in their normal position, a shafthaving oppositely positioned cranks connected with the opposite ends ofthe wall beams, Linothcrshaft having cranks concern i with he slidingrods, and an operating lever aving eh rtive engagement with either ,r csaid sl ll llS for causing the swin ing or toe walking beams to vary thedriving speed of the vehicle or for causing the sliding of the siidablrto carry one friction wheel Jair li cud the edge of the friction and tocarry the other frici'- n wl :el

i, roses"? tion disks for reversing the direction of drive of thevehicle. 7

7. A transmission means for motor vehicles, comprising a driving shaft,friction di ks thereon, pairs of interfitting transmis sion shaftsadjustable toward or away from the friction disks, friction wheelssplined on the transmission shafts and engaging the friction disks onopposite faces and on opposite sides of the centers of the frictiondisks to turn the transmission shafts of each pair in oppositedirections. means for shifting the friction wheels over the frictionfaces of the friction disks, vehicle wheels mounted on suitablyjournaled spur shafts, beveled gears on the spur shafts, beveled pinionsmeshing; with the beveled gears in front of the beveled of the rear whees and in back of the beveler. gears of the front wheels, and torsionrods having universal joint connections with the beveled pinions and thetransmission shafts.

8. Transmission means for motor vehicles, comprising a driving shaft,friction disks thereon. pairs of intcrfitting transi'nission shaftsadjustable toward or away from the friction disks. friction wheelssplincd on the trarsmission shafts and engaging the friction dislo; on()lll'Jtf-Ell" faces nd on op positc sides of the center of the frictiondisks to turn the transmission shafts of each pair in cppcsitedirections. means; for vshifting the friction wheels over the frictionfaces of the friction disks, vehicle wheels mounted on suitablyjournalcd spur shafts, beveled gears on the spur shafts, gear housingssurroundinjr the beveled gears, beveled pinions journaled in the gearhousings and meshing with the beveled gears in front of the beveledgears. of the rear wheels and in back of the beveled {re "s of the frontwheels, torsion rods having universal joint connections with the beveledpi'nions and the transmission shafts, and torsion rod casings havingpivotal commotion with the bearings of the transmission shafts andhaving telescopinnconnection with the gear housings.

in testimony whereof, i allix my signature, in presence of twowitnesses.

AUGlISl l). llUiJllGllXlA NN.

ll'itncsses:

(Rico. \Y. Qi Airii. i l l-1 iio'rn.

